With a 5 string bass, how should I tune?

[notrly1337]

If I have a 5 string bass tuned BEADG, what if i want to play Toxicity by SOAD (which is in CGCF) tuning. What should I do? Should I tune my bass BCGCF or still BEADG? I think its easier to play BCGCF tuning even though it might sound sloppy. Sorry if the question is stupid.

[phatbassplayer]

I would think if your playing a 34" scale bass that your tone and playability would be for shat,however you may be able to get away with the lower tuning if you have a 35" scale bass with heavy strings.. just my 2 cents, for me tuning down low would cause so much flop in my strings that I just don't think I would be happy with my tone.. I would just do BEADG if it were me.

[RacaBass]

One of my 5 strings are tuned ACGCF if I'm not mistaken (my band covers a few of the faceless songs) so you can do that if you truly want to.

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by phatbassplayer

I would think if your playing a 34" scale bass that your tone and playability would be for shat

[Low Sound Love]

there are no stupid questions (well there are, really, but yours isn't)

I don't know the song, but since you can go as low as a B you should be able to play the song in your standard tuning.

If you're working from tabs, move all notes on the lowest string up one fret (if it says '0' you play '1': B->C), then three frets on the E, A and G strings (E->G, A->C and D ->F).

If there are a lot of low C's you could tune up the B string to C, that's just a semitone.

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by notrly1337

If I have a 5 string bass tuned BEADG, what if i want to play Toxicity by SOAD (which is in CGCF) tuning. What should I do? Should I tune my bass BCGCF or still BEADG? I think its easier to play BCGCF tuning even though it might sound sloppy. Sorry if the question is stupid.

You can use whatever tuning you like.

If that song came my way I'd try to learn it in BEADG tuning, but would consider alternatives if I had trouble with it.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by phatbassplayer

I would think if your playing a 34" scale bass that your tone and playability would be for shat,however you may be able to get away with the lower tuning if you have a 35" scale bass with heavy strings.. just my 2 cents, for me tuning down low would cause so much flop in my strings that I just don't think I would be happy with my tone.. I would just do BEADG if it were me.

First of all, OP would be tuning UP to C. Second of all, I suggest doing more research or playing in lowered tunings. I play a 34" 4 string in drop C with a 105 low string. Sounds crisp and tight, does not sound muddy at all compared to the other strings.

OP, tune however you wish. You may want to go with a light 5 string set if you are tuning up to C.